Reference
FSD/PC21
Title
Album No. 20
Date free text
1 September 1977 to 27 January 1978
Production date
From: 1977 To: 1978
Scope and Content
Includes material as follows:
- article on low wages in FS;
- speculation re causes of the petrol tanker explosion at Westoning [see FSD/PC 19]*;
- head on crash between a bus and coach in Westoning on the first anniversary of the petrol tanker explosion*;
- closure of the Barracks, Bedford Road, Kempston*;
- explosion at 28 Western Way, Dunstable [see FSD/RR 1/181]*;
- campaign to open the first National Fire Museum in Bedford [unsuccessful], photographs include antique engines*;
- photograph of partly named personnel of Kempston Fire Brigade, 1911. Names include: Anstee, Fetts, White, Ramsey, Lee, Abbott, Quince, Whitworth.*;
- problem of trained firemen leaving FS to find better paid jobs;
- new Retained Firefighters Union first annual conference at Biggleswade;
- readiness of Beds FS personnel to obey strike call from Fire Brigades Union*;
- article on firemen’s wives support for a strike*;
- photograph of Biggleswade’s first fire engine, 19th century*;
- fire caused by candle during power cut at 25 Strangers Way, Luton [see FSD/RR 1/183]*;
- numerous articles and reports on all aspects of the firemen’s strike;
- fire risk at County Hall due to too many cars in the car park;
- fire at Yellow Farm Cottage, Dunstable Road, Tilsworth [see FSD/RR 1/185]*;
- fatal fire in a hay barn at Ouse River Farm, Milton Ernest [see FSD/RR 1/184]*;
- possibility of senior officers joining firemen on strike;
- articles on army fire fighters during the firemen’s strike*;
- injury to Austin Mitchell MP (Lab. Great Grimsby) in an RTA on A1 At Sandy;
- CFO Haley’s warning re fire safety at halls, cinemas etc. as, due to firemen’s strike, none would be visited by fire safety officers;
- fire at St.Joseph’s RC Church, Midland Road, Bedford*;
- award of Queen’s Fire Service Medal to CFO Haley;
- Beds FS personnel vote to end the strike;
- explosion in a van at Saxon Road, Luton [see FSD/RR 1/187]*;
- argument between BCC and Luton Borough Council over the site of the proposed new additional Luton fire station;
- FS personnel request for interest free loans from BCC to cover hardship after the strike.
Level of description
file